Introduction
Marketing a firm involves bringing your potential customers closer to what you do. And that means using a medium that expresses your facts with as much emotion and captivation as possible. Explainer videos have been helping businesses do this for decades, and with amazing ROI results. But not everyone understands their full purpose, how they work, and where they can be used.
What are animated videos and explainer (explanation) videos?
The terms ‘animated’ and ‘explainer’ are often combined when talking about marketing videos, so it may seem confusing to separate them at this point. But it also helps to understand what they mean as individual concepts.
Animated videos combine illustrations, drawings and designs generated by computer effects to create unique video material with artistic appeal. But the definition of an explainer video is an online avenue to describe in detail what a company’s product or service is all about. These videos are short and straightforward, but catchy enough to keep a viewer’s attention as it explains what the brand does. It’s why they’re also called ‘explanation videos’.
What is the purpose of an explainer video? What does an explainer video do?
The primary point of an explanation video is to capture a viewer’s interest. Previously, companies would create a product or service and design ads that only showcase them. But recently, with the world becoming more digitally aware, the completion has become so keen that placing your products and services in a glass showroom isn’t enough.
Through explainer videos, potential customers will not only see the product or service but also understand how it specifically appeals to their needs.
What are the benefits of an explainer video?
Explainer videos are so beneficial; they solve tons of problems in one take. And while different firms create explanation videos for different reasons, each one eventually offers similar perks to their marketing strategy. It’s why a good explanation video includes the following benefits;
- They promote a faster marketing process,
- Videos grab attention faster,
- Perfect for explaining broad or complex subjects,
- Videos tape into the viewer’s emotions,
- They target your products and service’s specific potential customers,
- They’re easy to create,
- They’re affordable to make,
- They increase your brand’s website traffic,
- They achieve faster product and service awareness,
- Explainer videos enhance your brand and website’s SEO,
- You can easily share them,
- They give your marketing strategy a fun appeal.
Where are explainer videos used? What are they good for?
Because they’re specifically used to describe the functions of a product or service, explainer videos are best used in areas where they’ll be easily seen. It’s why most companies insist they’re the first thing you find as you scroll through their landing page.
It’s also perfect when placed on the brand’s website’s home page, as it helps guide visitors to what they should expect from the product or service. If the brand also has a product page, explainer videos are best placed as the first media material for viewers to find.
Explainer videos can also be placed on a brand’s social media page as pinned posts. Or you can have them on your company’s YouTube channel to help create awareness every time a new product or service drops.
These broad applications make explainer videos so versatile; you can use them for tons of products or services including apps, cryptocurrency, finance, food, fashion, real estate, automobiles, and so much more!
How do explainer videos help businesses?
While many businesses may believe they don’t need to explain explainer videos, statistics prove they’re more important now than ever. Explainer videos make up 55% of the top 3 effective video types in marketing. In 2021 alone, explainer videos made up 65.5% of the most common types of video content made. And according to Hubspot, 84% of people who watch explainer videos end up using the product or service.
This proves how essential explainer videos help businesses achieve their marketing goals. And it’s not the only reason, as businesses also need them;
- Help potential customers reach a quicker decision
- Sell their brand’s vision through compelling stories
- Break down complex concepts into generally relatable levels
- Speed up the product or service marketing
- Boost ROI
- and Boost SEO.
What should be in an explainer video? What makes a good explainer?
The type of explainer video you make is subjective to your brand’s needs. But certain elements must be put in place to ensure you’re hitting the nail on the head. The key is to ensure the video is created to capture the audience’s attention and sell the message at the same time. And to do that, you’ll need to include these elements in your production;
- A powerful script
- Brevity in dialogue, video length, and scene times
- Captivating graphics and visuals, especially animation
- Specific details about how the product or service helps the audience
- A fun concept to play with the audience’s heart
- Professional voice-overs and audio
- and Music that matches the video concept.
It’s also proven that animated explainer videos often offer the best result in capturing a viewer’s interest. One main reason is that they’re often original in concept, so the audience is exposed to something new, fresh, fun, and stylish every time.
How long should an explanation video be?
Explainer videos are meant to break down the benefits of your product and service quickly. And because they’re internet video content, they must remain as short as possible so viewers aren’t forced to stop watching. The goal is to find the sweet spot between concise information and quick delivery for your explainer video. But that itself depends on your brand’s specific need.
No matter, you should keep your explainer video no more than 2 minutes. But the most effective types have been noticed to extend between 60 to 90 seconds. Remember, brevity is crucial when making explainer videos because they deliver the information in a catchy but fun way.
How do you make the best explainer videos?
Making the best explainer videos rests firstly on what you’re trying to invoke in the audience. Some brands want you to feel at home, while others trigger your sense of urgency. And in some cases, certain brands are best marketed when clients are tickled to laughter. So, the first step to make is to decide what kind of emotion you wish to arouse from your audience.
Once decided, the next is to consider the video’s length. It’s important to keep your explainer clips as short as possible, as this style is considered the most efficient. After that, you should decide if you prefer live-action, animation, or a combination of both. Deciding which is best for your video will help push the concept better. And finally, spin your explainer video concept around a story; as it captivates a viewer more than the typical ad style.
How many words is a 30-second explainer video?
Most 30-second explainer videos usually come with a word count of 75-85 words. Such videos ensure the words used are extremely relevant to the product or service, especially since the clip is ultimately short. The rest of the convincing is done with visual conventions and soundtracks so the emotion is faster passed on.
While many may fear that 30 seconds is too short, it’s important to note that shorter videos give the most visual convictions to potential clients. Tons of examples online have proven this fact, and every day, we see how more explainer videos are getting shorter.
How much is a 30-second explainer video?
Every explainer video production agency comes with its specific price for a 30-second explainer video. And even then, it’s subjective to loads of factors like the visual requirements, degree and style of animation, the professional status of voice-over actors, and so on. It’s why at Zelios Agency, we ask clients to specify their needs when planning a 30-second explainer video.
From the elements selected, we then share an estimated cost, keeping in mind that each element must be inculcated into the final work. We also focus on uniqueness, ensuring your explainer video stands out and promotes your products and services with a distinct voice and style. These meticulous steps allow us to offer the best explainer video service you can imagine.
The visibility and success of your company or product in the market depends on a high-quality explainer video. Zelios team has realized more than 100 successful projects and knows how to turn video into an effective marketing tool.
Want to make your project the next one?